Summary of Duties

Reporting to the City Manager, the Director of Strategy and Innovation promotes openness, accountability and transparency in decision-making though public reporting on the achievement of Council’s Strategic Plan, the Resident Satisfaction Survey, open data and other corporate reporting. This Division oversees the development of an enterprise-wide approach to enhancing organizational capabilities such as: continuous improvement; ; project management; data literacy; business analysis; innovation; , policy and report writing; corporate benchmarking; and performance measurement. Additionally, the Division is also the single point of accountability for Council’s commitment to a ‘Safe London for Women, Girls, Gender-Diverse, and Trans People.

The Director, Strategy and Innovation provides leadership and direction to the Division’s management team, guiding business process improvements, improving customer service standards, and developing effective relationships with residents and organizations. An insightful and effective people leader, the Director Strategy and Innovation is adept at leading the transformation of Divisional culture aligned with the Council’s strategic priorities.

Work Performed

• Direct the planning, management, and administration for the Strategy and Innovation Division; develop and maintain comprehensive policies, programs, procedures and protocols.


• Develop and implement the work plan and direction for the Strategy and Innovation Division to meet the organization’s strategic plan and effectively deliver the business responsibilities of the unit.


• Provide advice to the City Manager on strategic priorities with responsibility to operationalize those goals and strategies.


• Provide professional opinion and information to the Senior Leadership Team, Committees and Council on policies, programs and services as required.


• Liaise with Service Areas; consult with Managers, Directors and Deputy City Managers on organizational projects to solicit expertise on specific issues as required.


• Identify and develop internal controls in the form of policies, procedures, practices in relation to the general and specific risks of the Corporation. Ensure internal controls are implemented and adhered to within the Division.


• Oversee a team of experienced Managers; delegate authority and accountability for the execution and delivery of services and programs. Provide leadership in the following areas of accountability:

           Innovation and Continuous Improvement:

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  • Oversee the Innovation and Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives that are identified throughout all Service Areas within the Corporation; ensure CI initiatives align with strategic priorities.
  
  
  • Serve as the Corporation’s leader in utilizing continuous improvement and project management best practices.
  
  
  • Ensure that continuous improvement outcomes are measured and reported on in a meaningful way, and that employees are equipped to sustain a continuous improvement culture.
  
  
  
  

           Organization Capabilities

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  • Oversee the development and implementation of an enterprise-wide program to support the establishment and strengthening of organizational capabilities such as project management, data literacy, business analysis, innovation, and policy and report writing.
  
  
  • Build on and align with the Innovation and Continuous Improvement program.
  
  
  • Ensure that outcomes are measured and reported on in a meaningful way and that employees are equipped to sustain ongoing development and improvement of organizational capabilities.
  
  
  
  

           Strategic Planning and Reporting:

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  • Provide leadership to staff in the development and implementation of the Strategic Planning Framework for the City of London.
  
  
  • Responsible for the team that compiles data and completes reporting requirements, policy research and analysis related to strategic and emerging corporate initiatives.
  
  
  • Lead the development and implementation of policies and procedures that reflect the core themes, parameters, and objectives of Council’s strategic plan and the Corporation’s vision, goals, and strategic planning initiatives.
  
  
  
  

           Safe London for Women, Girls, Gender-Diverse and Trans People

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  • Provide advice to the Senior Leadership Team and leadership to staff in the development and implementation of the enterprise-wide response to this community and Council priority, including overseeing the specific actions within the Council strategic plan.
  
  
  • Provide leadership in establishing and maintaining key external partner and community relationships.
  
  
  • Provide leadership on the development and implementation of gender equity framework, in alignment with a trauma and violence-informed approach, and the City’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Framework and Equity Tool.
  
  
  
  

• Lead and encourage Divisional employee participation and commitment to organizational objectives.


• Actively mentor, provide development opportunities and build team performance with direct report leaders; ensure managers within the division are providing the same among their direct reports.


• Direct the Strategy and Innovation team, including hiring, coaching, administration and performance aspects of reporting staff. Respond to sensitive and confidential human resource issues as required.


• Build and encourage employee commitment to strive for consistently high levels of performance in all areas of service delivery.


• Create and maintain a culture of enterprise-wide collaboration. Seek opportunities to work across Divisions and Service Areas in support of the strategic initiatives.


• Demonstrate commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and Human Rights through interactions with community partners, employees and individuals and ensure that policies, programs and protocols reflect this commitment.


• Champion commitment and adherence to Health and Safety legislation and programs; demonstrate commitment to the Corporation’s culture of safety.


• Prepare or delegate the preparation of written reports and correspondence as required to advise Council and Committee; seek direction from Council and Committee on related issues as required.


• Implement proactive progressive change in redesign and implementation of business processes; support organizational change-management projects, communications, and transition plans.


• Provide direction, guidance, processes and tools needed to increase efficiencies and improve the effectiveness of services provided by the Division.


• Build capacity across the Division for evidence-informed decisions supported through strong analytics and partner engagement.


• Adhere to the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy; includes the responsibility of delegation of procurement initiation approval authority and delegation of approval authority for professional consulting services as per policy amounts.


• Establish, administer, forecast and monitor the annual operation budget for the Division.


• Ensure that the expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget; manage and promote stewardship of financial and organizational resources.


• Establish and maintain relationships with contacts in external governments, professional and municipal associations and networks; identify potential opportunities for new and innovative initiatives and improved practices.


• Represent the City Manager and Division at certain meetings, on the various boards and committees of external organizations and government partners to promote the City of London as a leader, share best practices, build relationships, and recommend solutions. Provide leadership and support complex municipal projects.

Qualifications/Experience

• Completion of an advanced degree in a related field, preferably a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or Political Science.


• Ten (10) years of progressive senior management experience using an inclusive leadership approach. Demonstrated supervisory experience in business transformation, continuous improvement and measuring outcomes.


• Exceptional interpersonal and written communications skills, with the ability to lead collaborative projects.

Skills and abilities in the following areas are necessary:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the above identified areas of accountability with an in-depth understanding of the Division’s programs and services.


• Strong analytical and critical reasoning skills, with the ability to think strategically and work through complex challenges.


• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and related legislation.


• Demonstrated ability to co-create a vision for the Division aligned with strategic priorities, build common purpose and direction, and deliver outcomes to strengthen overall organizational performance.


• Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for long-term visioning and big-picture thinking.


• Demonstrated successful experience in a management role; positive and proactive leadership capabilities, adept at leading a diverse group of employees, contracted services and consultants; demonstrated commitment to developing high performance teams.


• Ability to be a trusted advisor and/or advocate in sensitive and/or emotionally charged situations.


• Demonstrated ability to inspire the people they lead through productive and honest dialogue, with personal integrity and actions.


• Ability to clearly communicate complex issues to a wide and varied audience including facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills; political acumen to identify and manage issues.


• Proven ability to establish purposeful relationships and work effectively with senior leaders, elected officials, representatives of other levels of government, bargaining units, management, peers, employees, business community and the public.


• Proven project management skills and the ability to lead complex projects with multiple partners.


• Strong financial management skills and accountability for operating budgeting.


• Proven commitment to the safety of employees with knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position.


• Ability to provide a high level of attention to detail, make sense of data and solve problems.


• Ability to understand the vital importance of internally and externally focused service delivery and develop and implement initiatives that support customers in a timely and effective way.


• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office, and related software and database applications.


• Demonstrated successful experience in leading continuous improvement and change management initiatives and projects that shape culture and enhance service delivery.

Compensation and Other Information

$127,249 to $167,205

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